Biographies

JOSEPH HORTEN MAGIE is one of the honored pioneers, self-made men, and retired farmers of Henderson County. He is now living in Terre Haute, where in his pleasant home he is resting in the enjoyment of the fruits of his former toil.

He was born on the 26th of August, 1831, in Morris County, N. J., and is the sixth of a family of ten children born unto Abraham and Phoebe C. (Tunis) Magie. The father was also a native of Morris County, N. J., and in the East made his home until the autumn of 1856, when he came to Illinois and cast in his lot with the early settlers of Henderson County, his home being upon the farm where our subject now resides. Here he made his home until his death, which occurred October 30, 1868, at the age of seventy-one years, for he was born September 12, 1797. Mr. Magie was buried in Terre Haute Cemetery. He traced his ancestry back to the first settlers of New Jersey, coming of a family of Scotch origin, which was founded in America at a very early day His father was only a boy during the Revolution, but he joined the Colonial army and aided in the struggle for independence.

In political affairs, Abraham Magie took a very active part, and was a stanch supporter of the Republican party.

His wife, who was born April 19, 1799, in Whippany, N. J., died in Henderson County, December 4, 1874, and was laid to rest by the side of her husband. She was of Irish lineage.

No event of special importance occurred during the childhood and youth of J. H. Magie. He remained in his native State until the fall of 1855, when he came to Illinois and purchased the farm on which he now resides. He operated it in connection with his father until the latter's death, and since that time has engaged in its cultivation alone. It comprises eighty acres of valuable land, and is under a high state of cultivation. This, together with the many excellent improvements upon it, makes it one of the finest farms of the county. On one corner of the place the town of Terre Haute has been built.

On the nth of February, 1858, Mr. Magie was united in marriage with Miss Martha A. Averett, who was bom in North Carolina, July 6, 1831, and came to Illinois with her parents in 1833, the family locating in McDonough County.

Mr. and Mrs. Magie have three children: Albert H., who operates the home farm; Lillie J., wife of C. C. Drake, of Terre Haute; and Florence, wife of S. E. Mace, a school teacher of Terre Haute.

Mr. Magie is a member of Terre Haute Lodge No. 616, I. O. O. F. His wife holds membership with the Baptist Church, and he contributes liberally to the support of the same.

He cast his first Presidential vote for Winfield Scott, and since the organization of the Republican party has been one of its stanch supporters.

He has served as School Director and Road Supervisor, but has always refused other offices, preferring to give his entire attention to business interests. Through his well-directed efforts he acquired a comfortable competency, and is now living retired, enjoying the rest which he has so truly earned and richlv deserves.

From the Portrait and biographical record of Hancock, McDonough and Henderson counties, Illinois : containing biographical sketches of prominent and representative citizens of the county (1894)
May, 1894. Lake City Publishing Co.